The intricate world of Ethereum’s core development is a dynamic landscape, with frequent All Core Developer calls shaping the future of the network. To distill this complex process into digestible updates, this "Checkpoint" series aims to provide periodic high-level overviews of significant advancements. This installment delves into the ongoing progress of the Glamsterdam upgrade and the emerging plans for its successor, Hegotá.
Glamsterdam: A Steady March Amidst Implementation Complexities
The implementation of Ethereum’s next major network upgrade, codenamed Glamsterdam (EIP-7773), is progressing, albeit at a pace that reflects the inherent complexities of introducing significant protocol changes. While the overall trajectory remains positive, certain key features are proving more challenging to integrate than initially anticipated.
A primary focus for Glamsterdam is the enshrining of Proposer-Builder Separation (ePBS). This fundamental shift aims to decouple the roles of block proposers and block builders within the consensus layer. Currently, these functions are largely handled outside the protocol. Implementing ePBS necessitates that the protocol itself manage potential disagreements or failures between these distinct parties. This requires every layer of the Ethereum stack to develop the capability to reason about "partial blocks" and sophisticated two-party coordination mechanisms, touching virtually every aspect of the network’s architecture. The technical hurdles associated with ePBS are substantial, leading to a slower-than-expected integration timeline.
On the execution layer front, Block-level Access Lists (BALs), defined in EIP-7928, represent a fundamental re-evaluation of how gas and state access are managed. This feature is crucial for optimizing transaction processing and potentially increasing throughput. The development of BALs has been progressing through dedicated devnets, which are specialized networks designed for testing specific features. These devnets are reportedly making predictable, albeit expectedly difficult, progress in addressing the intricate problems associated with this new access control paradigm.
Beyond ePBS and BALs, Glamsterdam’s feature set includes a series of gas repricings, largely being considered and implemented as a bundled set. These adjustments are critical for fine-tuning the economic incentives within the network and ensuring efficient resource allocation. Additionally, the Ethereum community has voiced strong support for EIP-7954, which proposes an increase to the maximum contract size. This EIP is likely to be prioritized due to its potential to unlock new development possibilities and enhance the capabilities of smart contracts. Developers have been actively discussing its inclusion, underscoring its importance to the ecosystem.
The development team is currently targeting the deployment of the first generalized Glamsterdam devnet in the coming weeks, contingent on the stabilization of the current ePBS devnet. Following this milestone, the team plans to iterate through multiple devnets, progressively incorporating more of the non-headliner features. Once a stable devnet encompassing all intended features is achieved, client releases will be made, followed by rigorous security reviews. Subsequently, the upgrade will be deployed to various testnets. Only after these testnets demonstrate sustained stability will a mainnet fork date be officially announced.
Hegotá: FOCIL Takes Center Stage, Account Abstraction on the Horizon
Looking ahead, the upgrade following Glamsterdam, codenamed Hegotá, has already seen the selection of its primary feature. FOCIL (EIP-7805) has been chosen as the headliner for the consensus layer. This decision marks a significant step in defining the scope and direction of the Hegotá upgrade.
The execution layer saw a robust discussion around an Account Abstraction (AA) proposal, EIP-8141, also known as Frame transactions. While there was considerable interest in enhancing AA capabilities, a lack of consensus among client developers regarding specific implementation details led to the proposal being moved to a "Considered for Inclusion" (CFI) status as a non-headliner. This means that while not the primary focus, there is a commitment to explore and potentially integrate an AA proposal that garners broader support from the community and client developers. The Placeholder commitment signifies an ongoing effort to find common ground and advance Account Abstraction, a critical feature for improving user experience and security on Ethereum.
There is also a growing interest within the developer community regarding quantum resistance. While no standalone proposal focused solely on quantum resistance has been formally introduced for Hegotá, some existing proposals, including certain Account Abstraction initiatives, are incorporating quantum-resistant elements as part of their broader scope. This indicates a forward-looking approach to securing the network against future technological advancements.
The process for proposing non-headlining features for Hegotá opens on April 9th. Interested parties can submit their proposals by integrating their EIP into the "Proposed for Inclusion" section of the upgrade’s meta EIP (EIP-8081). A formal closing date for these submissions will be announced with at least two weeks’ notice. Comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding the Hegotá process, including timelines and feature statuses, is available on its dedicated Forkcast page.
The eventual launch date for the Hegotá upgrade is intrinsically linked to the progress and timeline of the Glamsterdam upgrade. Developers are mindful of avoiding rapid successive forks without adequate stabilization periods.
Gas Limit Increases: Paving the Way for Enhanced Throughput
Parallel to the upgrade roadmaps, significant efforts are underway to increase the gas limit on the Ethereum network. These increases are crucial for enabling higher transaction throughput and accommodating more complex smart contract interactions. Currently, developers are testing gas limits as high as 60 million on devnets, with ongoing investigations into even higher limits to fully understand the necessary optimizations and implications. The gas repricing work integrated into Glamsterdam is a foundational element that will enable these higher gas limits to be implemented safely and efficiently.
EIP Champion’s Handbook: Empowering Proposal Development
To foster a more streamlined and effective process for proposing and championing new features, the Protocol Support team has released updated resources. The EIP Champion’s Handbook, available on the Protocol Support website, provides comprehensive guidance for authors and advocates seeking to navigate the upgrade process, gather stakeholder feedback, and gain community support for their proposals. This initiative aims to democratize the feature development process and empower a wider range of contributors.
Broader Implications and Future Outlook
The recent upgrade cycle, which saw the rapid succession of Fusaka and Pectra, had generated considerable excitement about the potential for faster Ethereum hard forks. However, Glamsterdam’s implementation challenges highlight the nuanced reality of integrating complex technological advancements. While a Q2 launch for Glamsterdam now appears unlikely, the single headliner for Hegotá could potentially lead to a shorter interval between Hegotá and Glamsterdam than the gap between Fusaka and Glamsterdam. The possibility remains that a compelling Account Abstraction proposal could gain enough traction to be elevated to headliner status for Hegotá, reflecting its importance to the broader Ethereum ecosystem.
The re-emergence of the "strawmap" this year has also played a significant role in reigniting community enthusiasm. While not an official Ethereum roadmap, it serves as a valuable guideline, informing feature choices during the upgrade process and facilitating community consensus on development priorities. This collaborative approach is vital for the sustained growth and evolution of the Ethereum network.
Relevant All-Core-Developer Calls
The following All-Core-Developer (ACD) calls have been instrumental in shaping the discussions and decisions surrounding these upgrades:
- ACDT Calls: #76, #75, #74, #73, #72, #71, #70, #69, #68, #67 (January 21st – April 9th)
- ACDC Calls: #176, #175, #174, #173
- ACDE Calls: #234, #233, #232, #231, #230, #229
These calls represent the ongoing dialogue and collaborative effort that underpins Ethereum’s continuous development, ensuring that the network remains at the forefront of blockchain innovation.
